My health journey began at 17 when I started experiencing strange neurological symptoms such as brain fog, headaches that common pain relievers couldn’t alleviate, and loss of speech ability, all within the span of a week. After a series of inconclusive doctor visits, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, realizing that changes in diet could potentially heal my body. I was inspired by a friend’s weight loss success with Atkins and decided to try it out, hoping to shed some weight from my 220lb frame. I managed to lose some weight, but the brain fog, headaches, and occasional speech issues lingered.
My exploration led me to try a ketogenic diet based on popular advice, consisting mainly of chicken salads and processed “keto” snacks. The persistent symptoms prompted me to switch to a vegan diet after watching The Game Changers. Initially, I felt great, primarily due to eliminating dirty keto snacks and dressings full of processed oils and fake sugars from my diet. However, this vegan stint turned sour as severe bloating, fatigue, and exacerbated brain fog set in, which I attributed to severe nutrient deficiencies.
Fed up with the lack of desired results, I decided to attempt anti-dieting. Predictably, this led to worsening symptoms and bad cramping. Out of sheer frustration, I decided to try the complete opposite of veganism: an all-meat diet. For the first time, I began to see real results and felt better than ever! Inspired by the Petersons’ success stories with the carnivore diet, I started consuming beef with salt, chicken, bacon, and lots of eggs, alongside my existing habits of drinking alcohol and smoking pot.
In 2023, I made the decision to cut out alcohol and pot, going for a stricter version of the carnivore diet—eating only beef, bacon, eggs with salt, and unflavored LMNT electrolytes. The result was complete symptom relief and a significant weight loss, bringing me down to 175lbs. However, despite my lean and toned physique, I was still plagued by severe cramps.
It was then that I discovered the works of Saladino and Ray Peat, and the pro-metabolic community. I started gradually introducing more carbs, specifically honey and fruit, which solved the cramping issue. But this led to a weight gain of over 10 pounds and the loss of my muscular look. After experiencing blurry vision and eye floaters, I decided to go back to the carnivore diet, this time emphasizing more on fats and grass-fed ruminant animals, as well as pasture-raised chicken and eggs. I also cut out dairy, except for occasional grass-fed tallow and butter.
Currently, I’m eating 2-3 pounds of meat a day, along with the occasional organ supplement or fresh grass-fed liver and heart. I’ve also kept the daily “Ray Peat carrot salad” and black coffee with added butter and coconut oil. With these changes and the added support from LMNT electrolytes, I’m hoping to stave off the cramping and continue on this journey to better health.
